The University of the Cumberlands (UC) football team is coming into the 2013 season with high hopes. Coming off a successful 2012 campaign that saw numerous school records broken as well as the second best finish in school history, UC looks ready to go even further this season. The Mid-South Conference (MSC) has taken notice as well as UC was picked to finish 2nd in the MSC East behind Georgetown College.

This should come as no surprise to the NAIA. Since Head Coach John Bland took over the Patriots, he has had UC in prime position to win the MSC Championship year in and year out, including 4 straight conference titles from 2008-2011. After 2 years of finishing second for the MSC title, UC looks to return to the top and bring the title back to Williamsburg, KY.

Coach Bland knows that is one of the main goals for his program stating, "For our 2013 football team to reach the goals we set, we will have to finish first." On being voted second Bland commented, "It is always nice to be voted towards the top of the conference by your rival coaches. It will be tough trying to win the conference with the strength of the MSC."

As for the rest of the MSC East standings, Kentucky Christian was picked just behind UC with a 3rd place ranking. Lindsey Wilson was picked to finish 4th, with the Patriots first opponent of the season Union College rounding out the top 5. Pikeville and Bluefield were picked to finish 6th and 7th respectively in the MSC East polls.

UC looks to start the 2013 MSC East schedule with a bang as they will take on Union College for the Battle for the Brass Lantern. That game is scheduled to kickoff at noon on August 31st, 2013 at James H. Taylor, II Stadium. That game will be televised locally on WYMT and broadcasted on 104.3 WEZJ radio. If you are not able to attend, you can always watch Patriot football home games on www.cumberlandspatriots.com.

For more information on the University of the Cumberlands football team as well as other Patriot athletics, visit our website at www.cumberlandspatriots.com.